These actors can be difficult to work with...
James Corden has faced a number of complaints about his behavior over the years. Staff and workers on the set of The Late Late Show With James Corden have characterized him as entitled and overly demanding. Corden has also been accused of mistreating staff members.
One of the most publicized examples occurred in 2022 when Corden was temporarily banned from the famous New York restaurant Balthazar. The owner publicly called him out for berating the staff and yelling at a server over an improperly cooked omelet. | © The New York Times
Blake Lively has faced accusations of being difficult to work with, largely stemming from high-profile on-set tensions. Her reputation became a major topic of discussion following the fallout from It Ends With Us, where her relationship with director and co-star Justin Baldoni became the subject of a bitter dispute. Lively accused Baldoni of sexual harassment and retaliation, while Baldoni denied the allegations and accused Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, of defamation and attempting to take control of the film. | © Warner Bros. Television
One of Hollywood's greatest actors, Marlon Brando, was notable for being unpredictable on set. His unconventional methods, refusal to follow expectations, and frequent disagreements with filmmakers and other creatives made him, at times, a rather complicated presence.
During the filming of The Score (2001), Brando famously refused to be directed by Frank Oz, continuously calling him "Miss Piggy" in a jab at Oz's puppeteering past. Brando would refuse to come to the set if Oz was present, forcing co-star Robert De Niro to direct Brando's scenes while Oz watched via an off-site monitor. | © Paramount Pictures
Gwyneth Paltrow has occasionally received criticism over her controversial comments about Hollywood, luxury, and her own lifestyle. Her public image has sometimes created a perception of privilege that has followed her beyond her acting career.
During the production of Iron Man 2, rumors circulated that Paltrow was deeply insecure about sharing the screen with Scarlett Johansson and that the two clashed on set. Though both actresses have since publicly denied the feud, Paltrow has long been haunted by rumors of extreme diva demands, such as allegedly requiring a gym assistant to completely dry out a shower stall before she would use it. | © Marvel Studios/Paramount Pictures
Christian Bale's infamously intense working style has landed him in trouble on several occasions. There have been reports that he strives for perfection and is known for strong reactions and a demanding attitude.
This was famously caught on tape during the filming of Terminator Salvation (2009). When the director of photography accidentally walked into his line of sight during an emotional scene, Bale unleashed a ferocious, profanity-laced tirade that leaked online... | © Lions Gate Films
Jared Leto's rather extreme and entitled approach to method acting has reportedly frustrated some of his co-stars. While filming Suicide Squad (2016), Leto took his method acting as the Joker to disturbing extremes. In a misguided attempt to stay in character, he reportedly refused to speak to his co-stars out of character and sent them deeply inappropriate "gifts." These allegedly included sending Margot Robbie a live rat. | © Warner Bros. Pictures
Russell Crowe has a long-standing reputation for being intense and sometimes difficult to work with. He has openly acknowledged that his temper and behavior have caused problems during his career. Crowe has candidly admitted that he "mismanaged" his relationship with the industry, with the actor later saying he is "not driven by the same things" that may drive other people. | © Universal Pictures
Julia Roberts is somewhat known for having a complicated presence on set. A major factor behind this perception was her time on the set of 1991's Hook, where her reported behavior earned her the nickname "Tinkerbell". Director Steven Spielberg later described the production as a difficult experience.
And perhaps the most infamous example is her bitter feud with Nick Nolte on the set of the 1994 romantic comedy I Love Trouble. The two leads reportedly despised each other so much that Roberts publicly called Nolte "completely disgusting". | © Working Title Films/Universal Pictures
Sean Penn has never cultivated the image of an easygoing Hollywood star. To his credit, the actor has openly acknowledged that his sense of entitlement was not born out of thinking he was an excellent actor, but because he thought the rest were not so good, and that gave him a boost in confidence. Penn has also maintained that he isn't concerned with being liked, which has motivated him to do certain things that may not be received well by colleagues and fans. | © Rolling Stone
Katherine Heigl's public criticism of Grey's Anatomy and Knocked Up has notoriously contributed to her reputation for being a difficult actress (she withdrew her name from Emmy consideration for Grey's Anatomy, publicly stating she didn't feel the writers had given her good enough material to warrant a nomination). She later discussed how those experiences affected her career and acknowledged that some of her earlier comments could have been handled differently... | © Universal Content Productions
Charlie Sheen's extremely turbulent period on Two and a Half Men, which allegedly included meltdowns and demands for special treatment, became one of television's biggest behind-the-scenes controversies. The chaos reached its peak during his 2011 meltdown on the show. Sheen demanded a massive pay raise and went on a highly public, erratic media tour where he claimed to have "tiger blood" and "Adonis DNA."
His public disputes with creator Chuck Lorre and Warner Bros. ultimately resulted in his departure from the sitcom. | © Chuck Lorre Productions/Warner Bros. Television
Faye Dunaway has garnered a notorious reputation for being a demanding and difficult colleague due to her intense perfectionism and involvement in on-set clashes. Dunaway's behavior on Chinatown was especially challenging. During a heated argument where Polanski allegedly refused to let her take a bathroom break, Dunaway reportedly threw a cup of liquid (often cited as urine or coffee) directly in his face.
Other actors, such as Bette Davis and Jack Nicholson, have openly described her personality as challenging. | © Everett Collection
Many of William Shatner's former co-stars in the original Star Trek series, including George Takei and James Doohan, reportedly had friction with the actor over his inflated ego and demanding presence. They claimed he constantly stole their lines, demanded more screen time, and treated the supporting cast as invisible.
Shatner has also gained a reputation for distancing himself from fans during conventions and acting above the fanbase as a whole. This has naturally upset many people. | © 20th Century Fox Television
Mike Myers has developed a reputation for being extremely particular about his projects and performances. Horror stories surrounding productions such as The Love Guru and Wayne's World have contributed to his image as a demanding creative personality.
Amy Hill, Myers' co-star in 2003's The Cat in the Hat, told reporters that working with the actor was a "nightmarish experience." During the production, Hill revealed that Myers acted like a "little hermit" who made the cast and crew wait hours for him to emerge from his trailer. | © New Line Cinema
Steven Seagal is infamous for requesting considerable influence over his action-movie productions. Seagal has been repeatedly accused of physical abuse and bullying on set. Actor John Leguizamo famously claimed that during the filming of Executive Decision, Seagal violently slammed him against a brick wall simply because Leguizamo laughed at something he said! | © Vox
Working with a famous actor can be a dream job, but it isn't always an easy experience. Some actors have developed notorious reputations for clashes with co-stars, demanding behavior, or difficult working relationships. That said, here are 15 actors who have been described as particularly challenging to work with.
